London, ON – December 28, 2024 – In a nail-biting contest at the Canada Life Place, the Sudbury Five clinched a dramatic 129-128 victory over the London Lightning in double overtime. This thrilling matchup showcased the resilience and tenacity of the Five, improving their record to 6-2, while the Lightning fell to 5-4.
In a game marked by intense back-and-forth action, the Sudbury Five’s Ja’myrin Jackson and Allen Billinger shone brightly, contributing significantly to the team’s success. Jackson had a crucial performance with 18 points, while Billinger led the scoring with 21 points and provided vital plays in the clutch. The standout of the night was Charlie Marquardt, who led all players in scoring with 25 points, shooting 50% from three pointers including a go ahead two point basket for the one point lead and eventual game winner.
The first half saw the Lightning take a strong lead, ending the first quarter 34-25. However, the Five responded with a stellar second quarter, outscoring their opponents 37-24 and entering halftime with a 62-58 advantage. The momentum shifted continuously, highlighted by a remarkable 50% shooting from beyond the arc by the Five, connecting on 16 of 32 attempts.
While both teams fought tooth and nail, the game reached its climax in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter and into double overtime. With the score tied at 120-120, both teams exchanged baskets but it was the Five’s bench that proved decisive, contributing 35 points to the team’s total compared to the Lightning’s 51.
“I’m incredibly proud of our team’s effort tonight,” said Sudbury Five Head Coach Logan Stutz, “We showed great heart and determination, especially in those crucial moments. This win is a testament to our hard work and resilience.”
On the Lightning side, Paul Parks led with a remarkable 26 points, while Corey Boyd added 24 in a valiant effort. Despite the loss, the Lightning showcased their depth and skill, leading at times but unable to hold off the relentless Five.
The Sudbury Five will look to build on this momentum as they prepare for their next matchup against London at home on December 30, 2024 in the final game of the year.
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